Victim: Howard Smallwood, 63-year-old male

Date of Incident: April 15th, 2013

Location: Unit block Golden Acres Drive, Claymont, DE 19703

Community: Riverview Place Apartments

Investigation Details:

On April 15, 2013, at approximately 7:48 p.m., officers with the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the Riverview Place Apartments following a 911 call.

Upon arrival, they located the deceased body of Howard Smallwood inside his residence.

The victim had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body.

If you have any information regarding this case, please contact the New Castle County Division of Police Criminal Investigations Unit at 302-395-8110 or email: Coldcase@Newcastlede.gov

The victims and families of our unsolved cases are not forgotten. Ongoing efforts by the New Castle County Division of Police and the Criminal Investigations Unit’s Cold Case Unit are being made to resolve each case. Additionally, if you or someone you know is a victim or witness of a violent crime or has lost a loved one to sudden death and needs assistance, the New Castle County Division of Police Victim Services Unit is available to offer you support and resources through (302)395-8000.

If you’d like to report information anonymously, Delaware Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit organization that offers cash rewards of up to $5,000 for anonymous tips that lead to an arrest. Be sure to retain your Tip ID and password to follow up, provide additional details, or claim a cash reward. Submit a tip by calling 1-800-TIP-3333, visiting http://www.delawarecrimestoppers.com, or using the P3 Tips mobile app.

(New Castle, DE 19720) On Thursday, April 9, 2026, at approximately 4:49 p.m., Officers with the New Castle County Division of Police responded to the unit block of Ferris Court in reference to a reported assault with a weapon that had just occurred.

Through the investigation, Officers determined the victim had arranged to meet with two acquaintances, who picked the victim up in a vehicle. While driving, the suspects stopped and began physically assaulting the victim over a prior dispute. During the assault, a weapon was used to strike the victim inside the vehicle. The victim, who sustained minor injuries to the upper body, was able to escape and subsequently contacted police.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Unit assumed the investigation and identified the suspects as 19-year-old Franck Sahou of Bear and 19-year-old Daniel Abegunde of Bear.

On Friday, April 10, 2026, detectives obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence associated with Daniel Abegunde in Bear. During the search, Detectives recovered a handgun, along with over 140 grams of marijuana, packaging materials, and drug paraphernalia.

Daniel Abegunde was transported to New Castle County Police headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:

• One felony count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
• One felony count of strangulation
• One felony count of aggravated menacing
• One felony count of wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony
• One felony count of conspiracy in the second degree
• One misdemeanor count of assault in the third degree
• One misdemeanor count of terroristic threatening
• One felony count of possession of a large capacity magazine
• One felony count of possession with intent to deliver
• One misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana other than a personal use quantity
• One misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia

Abegunde was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $266,000.00 cash bail.

Franck Sahou was taken into custody on April 13, 2026, and transported to New Castle County Police headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:

• One felony count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony
• One felony count of aggravated menacing
• One felony count of wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony
• One felony count of conspiracy in the second degree
• One misdemeanor count of assault in the third degree
• One misdemeanor count of terroristic threatening

Sahou was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $76,000.00 secured bail.

Daniel Abegunde – 19

Franck Sahou – 19

On Tuesday, April 7, 2026, an Officer initiated an investigation after a stolen payment card was reported in the Kimberton community. During the investigation, it was determined that the victim’s card was used at two businesses in Newark. The officer obtained surveillance footage showing two suspects and the vehicle they arrived in (pictured below).

If you recognize the suspects or the vehicle pictured, please contact Officer Blohm at cole.blohm@newcastlede.gov or call 302-573-2800.

Tips can be submitted anonymously to:

• New Castle County Division of Police non-emergency line: (302) 573-2800
• Facebook Messenger: “New Castle County Police.”
• Crime Stoppers: (800) TIP-3333
• Online: delawarecrimestoppers.com